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French arrests over Ivorian waste French arrests over Ivorian waste
(about 2 hours later)
Two senior French officials of the company whose toxic waste has been dumped in Ivory Coast, causing seven deaths, have been arrested. Two senior French officials of the company whose toxic waste has been dumped in Ivory Coast have been charged with poisoning, an official says.
Dutch-based company Trafigura Beheer BV says it is "shocked" and says the two were in Ivory Coast to help those affected by the waste. Dutch-based company Trafigura Beheer BV says it is "shocked" and says the two had gone to help those affected by the waste, which has left seven dead.
Trafigura has always maintained it paid Ivorian firms and officials to dispose of the waste safely.Trafigura has always maintained it paid Ivorian firms and officials to dispose of the waste safely.
The Ivorian government has resigned over the scandal.The Ivorian government has resigned over the scandal.
Several senior officials have also been suspended and eight Ivorians have been arrested.Several senior officials have also been suspended and eight Ivorians have been arrested.
The Ivorian police have not specified what charges the are being made against Trafigura director Claude Dauphin, and its West Africa manager Jean-Pierre Valentini. Trafigura director Claude Dauphin, and its West Africa manager Jean-Pierre Valentini were charged with poisoning and breaking toxic waste laws, said justice ministry official Ali Yeo.
They were remanded in custody.
In pictures: Toxic waste Global path of pollution Eyewitness: Exposed Trafigura says the two men were initially questioned merely as witnesses, a claim a police superintendent refused to confirm.In pictures: Toxic waste Global path of pollution Eyewitness: Exposed Trafigura says the two men were initially questioned merely as witnesses, a claim a police superintendent refused to confirm.
They were prevented from leaving the country on Saturday, as they were about to board a plane for Europe.
He said that an official report had been sent to Ivory Coast's Criminal Investigation Department, and the matter was now in their hands.He said that an official report had been sent to Ivory Coast's Criminal Investigation Department, and the matter was now in their hands.
On Sunday the massive job of cleaning up the polluted sites around the main Ivory Coast city, Abidjan, began.On Sunday the massive job of cleaning up the polluted sites around the main Ivory Coast city, Abidjan, began.
It will take several weeks for the 400 metric tonnes of waste contained a mixture of gasoline, water and caustic washings to be removed from all the 11 areas.It will take several weeks for the 400 metric tonnes of waste contained a mixture of gasoline, water and caustic washings to be removed from all the 11 areas.
Ivorians are still heading to the hospitals in large numbers, complaining of headaches, diarrhoea and breathing problems.Ivorians are still heading to the hospitals in large numbers, complaining of headaches, diarrhoea and breathing problems.
The BBC's James Copnall in Abidjan says that until all the toxic waste has been neutralised, the city's residents will continue to be angry and scared.The BBC's James Copnall in Abidjan says that until all the toxic waste has been neutralised, the city's residents will continue to be angry and scared.